"jch" <jch@nospam.com> hath wroth:

>I'm trying to hookup my son's XBox to the home network. While I'm at it, I
>also want to connect the DirecTV DVR player (HR-20) to the network as well.
>There is no hardwire connection between the TV/XBox and the wireless router
>(WRT54G) upstairs so a wireless solution is sought. For the XBox I could
>use a gaming adapter (WGA5G) but I've used one before and found them
>unreliable and I no longer have one anyway or I'd try. Other possible
>solutions are the WAP54G and the WET54G. I've read the WAP54G (less
>expensive than the WET) can be used if set in client mode (which I'm
>assuming must put it in bridge mode). The WET54G is a bridge and is
>advertised as being XBox compliant so I know it must work as well.
>
>1) What are the differences between the two devices (WAG54G and WET54G)?
>Will either one allow me to connect an ethernet device (the XBox and the
>DVR) wirelessly to a remote WRT54G?

See below.

>2) Both the devices apparently only come with one port. I want to hook up
>two devices. Can I just use a switch to hook up the XBox and the DVR to the
>W**54G?

Yes, but only if the WAP54G or WET54G support passing more than one
MAC address. See below.

That's one of the most common un-answered questions. Most wireless
ethernet bridges and game adapters will pass more than one MAC
address. Therefore, you can pile on the computers behind the wireless
bridge as needed, usually through an added ethernet switch. See the
list at:
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Wireless_Ethernet_Bridges>
The one's labelled "multi" will pass multiple MAC addresses.

The problem is that the list is not 100.0% reliable. For example,
someone recently found out the hard way that two recent firmware
versions for the DWL-2100AP will not pass multiple MAC addresses in
client mode. I've had the same problem with combinations of the
WAP54G and assorted wireless routers. The manufacturers are of zero
help because it's not really a "supported" configuration, which really
means that the vendors can sell more client bridges if they don't
admit that you don't need one wireless bridge per computah. For the
few that will admit that you can bridge more than one MAC address,
they won't tell how many MAC's can be bridged. Usually, it's
something dismal like 16 or 32 MAC addresses.

Anyway, I've had problems with the WAP54G hanging in point to point
bridge applications and would not recommend using it. I haven't tried
the WET54G. Since you don't give a "rat's behind" about alternative
hardware suggestions, I won't offer any.


--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558